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At FIRST®, recognition is not only part of our name, it's core to our ethos, and we strive to celebrate those educators and schools with exceptional commitments to their learning communities.

In this spirit, we are proud to launch our fourth year of the Inspire the Future: FIRST Recognition Program. Help us celebrate the FIRST educators and schools who inspire their students and advance the mission of FIRST by submitting a nomination. 

Nominations for the 2025 Inspire the Future cohort open September 30, 2024.

Educator Eligibility

The Inspire the Future: FIRST Educators Recognition Program recognizes inspirational educators from multiple areas of study with outstanding commitments to their learning communities.

To be eligible for nomination, educators must be: 

  • An educator who is currently working directly with students in PreK-12 settings
  • Have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to expanding access to FIRST programs
  • Are engaging students in STEM through classroom and/or after-school activities

School Eligibility

The Inspire the Future: FIRST School Recognition Program recognizes schools with outstanding commitments to expanding access to FIRST programs in their learning communities.

To be eligible for nomination, schools must be: 

  • Part of a K-12 educational setting (this includes public, independent, charter, or hybrid/virtual schools) 
  • Engaging students in FIRST through classroom and/or after-school activities 
  • Actively be participating in FIRST during the 2024-2025 season with completed team or Class Pack registrations

 Award Timeline & Information

September 30, 2024 | Nominations Open
Update: December 20, 2024 | Nominations Close
January 27, 2025 | Applications Open for Nominees
February 21, 2025 | Applications Close for Nominees

Join us during Teacher Appreciation Week 2025 when we will announce our awardees:

  • Fifteen (15) educators will be chosen from multiple areas of study and by various age ranges that they teach including Early Childhood, Kindergarten-Grade 1, Grades 2-5, Grades 6-8, and Grades 9-12
    • Ten (10) from the United States/Canada; five (5) Global
  • Up to ten (10) schools will chosen from locations in the United States
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See Previous Honorees: 2022 Honorees | 2023 Honorees | 2024 Honorees